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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Could I have handled this better? Made him leave

495 replies

Brooklans · 25/06/2025 21:06

I originally met a man 18 months ago. Although nothing happened, we kept in contact as friends through text and social media. Recently, we started to get closer. For a month we spoke everyday, talking about our days, and deeper conversations to do with our families, past grief, and bad relationships we’d had. So after a month, we decided to go on a proper date. Date went well, although no kiss, both went home separately.

A few days after our date I was due to go abroad for a month to take some time out and relax at my mum’s timeshare apartment in a hot country. As we’d just had our date and I didn’t want to wait a month to see him again, I invited him to fly out and stay for 6 days (6 hour flight away)

We both agreed no pressure, it’ll be a friendship holiday for us both, we’ll each have our own rooms, and we’ll just see what happens. I also told him he can feel free to do his own thing sometimes if he wants. So a week after I flew out, so did he.

He arrived on Sunday very late at night, I picked him up at the airport and we both went to bed soon after we got back, to our separate rooms.

The following morning, on Monday, we went to the beach together. Then we went back to the apartment, and I went to visit my friend for a couple of hours. I came back, and we went out for a meal. During the meal I started to realise that I don’t feel the spark I was hoping and couldn’t see us progressing into anything beyond a friendship. We got back to the apartment and he asked if I wanted to watch something with him. I excused myself and went to bed early but told him to make himself at home and watch whatever.

The next morning on Tuesday I went to the gym alone and ran some errands, I texted him to say I’d be home no later than 4 hours, and once I’m back we’ll go to another beach together. I took slightly longer and he texted me asking how long I’ll be. The apartment is in the middle of no where and nothing I’m walking distance, so I could tell he was getting a bit restless. When I arrived back he didn’t say it but I could tell he had got a bit impatient. I grabbed my things to go to the beach, and told him I’d drop him off at the beach and meet him there later as I had to help the friend I saw the day before with something. He looked put out. I gave him some swimming equipment as I know he likes water sports/swimming. I dropped him off at the beach and said he’d see me later. It felt awkward.

A few hours later I rung him to say I’d only be another hour then I’d pick him up. He said “Pick me up? I thought you were joining me not picking me up?” I said I just wanted to relax at the apartment, it had been a long day. But he was more than welcome to stay there and I’ll pick him up later. He said okay he’ll stay, and will speak to me later.

Then I get a text saying “Do you even want me here? You seem to be taking your time with everything and last night you went to bed early you said to sleep, but I heard your tv on still a couple of hours later. I don’t need free accommodation and lifts if i wanted a holiday alone I could do that. I came to spend time with you.”

I reminded him of our talk before he arrived, that he’ll be free to do his own thing too. It was a casual arrangement and that I can’t put everything on hold because he’s here for 6 days. Said that I’m tired and I don’t feel like chilling on a beach and I need to help my friend. He just replied “Okay help your friend, I’ll call you later when I’m ready to come back”.

At that point it felt more awkward than it had done when I dropped him off, so I screenshotted a flight home for that night, at 11:30pm to him with the message “If it’s going to be awkward like this now and you’re going to make me feel like I can’t do what I’d usually do, I’d rather book you this flight home. You’ve woken up in a mood this morning I’ve not done anything wrong”. He immediately texted back “Okay book it”. I told him to book it and I’ll transfer the money. And said it had been an awkward day.

He said “You’re the one making it awkward, I’ve not been here 48 hours yet and you’re sending me screenshots to flights home because I asked you one question. I said help your friend and I’ll see you later tonight. I can’t fly home tonight It’s 5:30pm already I’ve been swimming I don’t have time to shower and pack and make it to airport in time. I’ll fly home tomorrow, don’t worry no awkwardness from me. See you later”

At this point I’m annoyed that he’s dictating when he will leave as he’s the guest. I texted back “I still think it’s better you leave tonight to be honest I don’t want any awkwardness”. He replied “Okay”.

When we got back to the apartment it stated we were unable to book the flight online as it was under 5 hours from the departure time. As the airport is a while away and there wasn’t a guarantee he would get a seat once arriving there, I said he could stay the night and I’ll sort him a flight for the next day. He was annoyed, he said that he’d also realised we weren’t right together romantically but that I was treating him unkindly and kicking him out so soon because of it, he was still prepared to remain friends. I said I’d asked him to leave as he’s was being awkward, not because of that. He went for a long walk after that, then went straight to his room.

Following morning, on the Tuesday I went out again. When I came back he was sat on the balcony and stayed there. I made some food and went for a shower. Before I go in the shower I texted him “Hey, what time is your flight? I might be able to take you to the airport, if not I’ll get my friend to take you. He’ll do it for half the price taxi drivers charge around here. I can also drop you off at another beach for the day. Just let know what time your flight is so I can plan my day”.
After my shower he knocked on my door and said with a snarky attitude “Why are you texting me when you can see I’m on the balcony? And you say I’m awkward ! I haven’t booked my flight you said yesterday you’d sort it” I replied “No I told you to book it and I’d send you the money for it but fine I’m not going to argue I’ll book it now” I booked him a flight, paid for it with my own money. Only time for that day was at 11:30pm. Told him what time his flight was, and I’d get my friend to take him to airport. He says, again with an attitude “Great nice 6 hour flight at midnight. Fantastic” At this point I can’t wait for him to leave.

Dropped him off at beach for the day and my friend picked him up in evening for airport, he didn’t even say bye to me. Has since blocked me on everything.

I really struggle with awkwardness. Was I BU or was he?

OP posts:
Missj25 · 25/06/2025 23:45

Brooklans · 25/06/2025 23:38

I accept my actions before I took him to the beach caused his upset. But after that conversation over text I didn’t see anyway of rectifying the mood or coming back from that. So believe that getting him the flight home was the best option

I did offer to drive him places if he wanted to get food and stuff. I didn’t completely ignore him.

And now OP to round it up tonight .
Aren’t you one sorry woman you posted on here 😂 😂

DiaryofaProvincialLady · 25/06/2025 23:46

You are nasty, rude cold bitch and he is well rid of you.

nam3c4ang3 · 25/06/2025 23:49

fucking hell OP I am normally on the side of the woman here but you - are an absolute cow. He is well shot of you. Ffs I feel so bad for that poor guy - I think that’s a first for me on Mumsnet. Please FGS do not date.

Busybeemumm · 25/06/2025 23:49

Wow OP, I hope your friend there sees how you treated your guest.

You created the awkwardness.

I don't blame him for blocking you on everything.

You need to grow up- yes you could have handled this much much better.

Smilesinthesunshine · 25/06/2025 23:50

You sound like a very unpleasant human being.

ForWildLemon · 25/06/2025 23:51

Yea you made it very awkward and hard and were rude and he sounds like he was as patient as could be under pretty horrible circumstances.

If you’re for real you owe this poor guy an enormous apology.

WhyCantISayFork · 25/06/2025 23:51

None of your updates make you sound any less unreasonable

WLINewbie · 25/06/2025 23:52

What have I just read? I can't believe this is real???

Poor guy

purpleme12 · 25/06/2025 23:52

WhyCantISayFork · 25/06/2025 23:51

None of your updates make you sound any less unreasonable

Yep

Christwosheds · 25/06/2025 23:52

justforthisnow · 25/06/2025 21:18

Oh wow. The poor man. And that's the first time I have ever said that on here in 19 years.

Same. I feel really sorry for him. Honestly OP this is such a horrible thing to do to someone.

Goldie679 · 25/06/2025 23:54

Brooklans · 25/06/2025 21:47

Yes I think this was the case, I panicked. I should have told him I didn’t feel a spark and let’s spend the week as friends. But I didn’t get the chance to have that conversation, he was already acting off and the mood had soured at that point.

The reason he was acting off is because you left him in the remote apartment for over 4 hours, got back later than you said you would, then said you’d join him later at the beach and then didn’t. That’s a lot of waiting around and changing plans for someone who thought they were going on holiday to spend time with a friend. It’s understandable he’d feel upset and awkward because of the disrespect and it sounds like he handled it well

LJ125 · 25/06/2025 23:54

I can’t believe this post is serious. OP, if it is genuine, you behaved appallingly. No surprise that he blocked you.

NescafeAndIce · 25/06/2025 23:55

This has got to be a reverse. Right? No-one is this self-centred?

Denimwondersuit · 25/06/2025 23:55

YABVU, unbelievable you are trying to justify your shitty behaviour!

Ilovelifeverymuch · 25/06/2025 23:56

I didn't even bother to finish the long essay you wrote, you're so rude and ridiculous. It's fine if you decide there isn't a spark and you want to end things quickly but don't come here pretending you haven't done anything wrong looking for sympathy. Own it.

nightvisiting · 26/06/2025 00:01

I also feel for the poor guy. You invited him, you're too tired to spend time with him, but not too tired to help your friend. He came to spend time with you and you had no time for him. I hope no-one ever treats my sons like this. Why invite him just to ignore him?

Nanny0gg · 26/06/2025 00:04

Brooklans · 25/06/2025 21:30

To be clear, I didn’t tell him to go before I felt no spark. I was prepared to spend time as friends. He was acting awkwardly that afternoon I took him to the beach, and his “help your friend, I’ll call you later when I’m ready to come home” I could tell was passive aggressive. I couldn’t stand another 4 days of that.

Also when I sent the screenshot of the flights he immediately said “Okay book it then” so he was in full agreement

What choice did he have?

You were leaving him on his own (and you said it was in the middle of nowhere) or you picked him up, dumped him somewhere else and then went off again

You were horrible.

I bet he couldn't wait to get away.

Poor bloke

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 26/06/2025 00:04

OP-AIBU?
Mumsnet-yes you are and were and behaved terribly
OP-no, it was his fault that I behaved badly. I wasn’t BU

Nanny0gg · 26/06/2025 00:05

Brooklans · 25/06/2025 23:38

I accept my actions before I took him to the beach caused his upset. But after that conversation over text I didn’t see anyway of rectifying the mood or coming back from that. So believe that getting him the flight home was the best option

I did offer to drive him places if he wanted to get food and stuff. I didn’t completely ignore him.

How generous of you...

BMW6 · 26/06/2025 00:06

Oh wow OP............you better hope no-one treats you with such distain.

Piss poor. Shameful.

Tubs11 · 26/06/2025 00:06

it's amazing that from your own original post you yourself can't see how unreasonable you were

Henbags · 26/06/2025 00:07

You are absolutely bat shit if you think you were reasonable. But clearly you do, or you wouldn’t be making this post. Be prepared to stay single a long time with this attitude. At least he’s had a lucky escape.

FirenzeFirenze · 26/06/2025 00:07

I can hardly believe this story is true, but if it is then you were very unkind.

He sounds like a nice guy and I hope he wasn’t too hurt by your behaviour.

Ringthebell26 · 26/06/2025 00:09

This is a joke - right? Surely there is no way anyone could treat another person this poorly?

sweetgingercat · 26/06/2025 00:10

So many red flags. He had a lucky escape poor man...

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